By Valentia Tetteh
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has condemned what it describes as “reckless and violent conduct” by leading members of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) during the just-ended Akwatia by-election.
In a statement signed by its General Secretary, Justin Kodua Frimpong, the NPP alleged that the NDC’s First National Vice Chairman, Chief Sofo Azorka, and the Abuakwa North Constituency Communications Officer, Abdul Wahab Amadu, issued death threats against the Minority Leader and MP for Efutu, Osahen Alexander Afenyo-Markin; the National Organiser, Henry Nana Boakye; and Nsawam-Adoagyiri MP, Frank Annoh-Dompreh.
“The New Patriotic Party condemns the threats of death against the Minority Leader, Osahen Alexander Afenyo-Markin; the National Organiser, Henry Nana Boakye; and Hon. Frank Annoh Dompreh by the 1st National Vice Chairman of the NDC, Chief Sofo Azorka, and Alhaji Abdul Wahab Amadu, the Abuakwa North Constituency Communication Officer of the NDC,” the statement read.
The NPP further accused Mr. Azorka and his supporters of physically assaulting its 3rd National Vice Chairman, Alhaji Osman Masawudu, during the by-election. According to the party, such incidents amount to “a serious breach of public order and a threat to Ghana’s democratic stability.”
As part of its response, the NPP has formally petitioned the Inspector General of Police, Christian Tetteh Yohunu, calling for immediate investigations and the arrest of the implicated NDC officials. The petition cites specific threats captured in widely circulated videos, including remarks by Mr. Azorka that were interpreted as direct threats to the life of the Minority Leader.
“The recklessness of the actions of Chief Sofo Azorka and Alhaji Abdul Wahab ought to be properly investigated and punished,” Mr. Kodua emphasized.
The party also warned that such conduct, if unchecked, risks undermining Ghana’s reputation as a stable democracy. “Such violent conduct by no mean a person than a National Officer of the ruling party and a constituency officer diminishes the gains of our democracy and has the potential to create further insecurity in the country in the face of Ghana’s recent decline in the Global Peace Index Ranking,” the statement added.
The NPP urged the Ghana Police Service to act swiftly to ensure that the law is applied without fear or favor, stressing that holding perpetrators accountable will serve as a deterrent against future electoral violence.
